Marv Hollingsworth: ‘kind of scrappy veteran’

I did this once, in 1971-72, served in Oregon House, for east county, one of the best things I ever did. I served the east Multnomah County area in the Oregon House.

I started a couple of years ago going to Democrat meetings and workshops, helped organize a golf tournament, and people needed someone to take on Mark Johnson and they convinced me I’d be a kind of scrappy veteran who could maybe take him on. What that means to me is I just like to represent people and stand up shoulder to shoulder and do what I can for them and take care of some of these issues that are not being taken care of for them, the average working guy.

I’m a Roe v. Wade guy, a pro-choice guy. Any decision should be made between her and her doctor and not some politician sitting up on a pedestal.

On education, we need more, stronger payment from the state, so we can have smaller classrooms and better teachers.

On the economy, we need to focus on our infrastructure and get people to work, starting with (the Interstate 5) bridge down there. They need to get that going.

Ever since I’ve met with people in Hood River, I’ve realized we need to look at a state sales tax,” so long as the state gets rid of the income tax and we’re not double-dipping.

I’m just saying take testimony and hearings on it. If they were leaning in that direction then it would have to go to the people for the vote, which the constitution requires.

We have to get counties and cities and unions and city workers together and come up with new jobs. I think things are starting to change that way. You just need to get them talking and find ways. Federal and local moneys are available, maybe floating bonds, explore road and toll taxes, somehow or other, just get all the parties talking so we can get jobs available. It’s the only way to get jobs. Since Obama took over things are improving, and the stock market is turning.

Elaborate on your ideas on education.

You look at the figures on per student spending, we need to get that way up. The state General Fund needs to pay more of the cost of education and thereby relieving some of he property tax burdens. I like Gov, Kitzhaber’s new committee (Oregon Education Investment Board.)

Maybe take some of the money going to higher education and bring it down to K-12, make that more of a priority for financing.”

What have you been doing in the 40 or so years since you served in the legislature?

I was born and raised in Portland, and I went to PSU for my teaching degree and I taught in the David Douglas School District and what I was making told me I needed a new line of work so I went to law school at night, got my degree and practiced law in the Gateway area. I served on the original Mt Hood Community College board. We went around the country to various other colleges and took the good parts and got Mt. Hood started. I was a pro tem judge in east Multnomah County and the city of Gresham, and served two years in Legislature.

I served as a mediator and arbitrator, and I would make those services available in looking at issues and deciding issues and putting groups together. I’d just like to represent the guy who doesn’t get a whole lot of representation.

There’s a new issue, transporting coal dust in the Gorge. I would meet with people and have hearings and look at scientific evidence, and I would just stand up on their behalf, both environmentally and business, and just keep in constant contact with them.